Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs is themed after the famous racing town in New York state, and at 65 acres is Walt Disney World's largest Disney Vacation Club resort. As with all the DVC resorts, it is not necessary to be a member to stay at this property. For non-members, the benefits include "home-away-from-home" benefits like kitchens and extra space.

In the summer of 2009 sixty new villas were opened in the Treehouse Villas section. Providing room for up to nine guests, these stand-alone, elevated villas are nestled among the trees along the Sassagoula River that runs through the resort.

MousePlanet partner Owner's Locker provides a highly useful service for repeat Walt Disney World visitors. It will allow you to to store a large amount of your "only-in-Florida" belongings on-site between your visits. Owner's Locker will deliver your locker to your resort early on the morning of your arrival and pick it up the day that you leave. Your locker will stay in climate-controlled storage until you return on your next visit. Owner's Locker delivers to resorts throughout the Orlando area, not just to Walt Disney World. Some of the many things that Owner's Lockers have been used to store are full-sized liquid containers to avoid the TSA hassle, clothing, holiday decorations for annual visits, pool playthings, and more. Visit their site and check them out for yourself, or order now!

Transportation Information

On foot: There is a walkway connecting Saratoga Springs and Downtown Disney.

Bus: Busses run to Downtown Disney from which other destinations can be reached.

Monorail: No

Ferries: There is a ferry that connects Saratoga Springs, Old Key West Resort, and Downtown Disney.

Other dining — Artist's Palette is a quick service eating location, focusing on sandwiches and salads during the day and basic breakfast items for breakfast. Additional dining options are available across the lake at Downtown Disney, a 10-15 minute walk.

The following are recent reviews for the Saratoga Springs from our Reader Review system. Click the Show All Reviews link to see every review for this location. To browse all reviews in the system, please see this page.

My wife and I are not DVC members but we always wanted to stay at least once at this hotel.After being assigned a handicapped room, that we did not request,we asked to be moved to a room with a bathtub.They sent us to another room but we sat outside it for 30 min.trying to get the not so magicband room keys to work.Once inside we saw what $235.00 dollars a night gets you at Saratoga Springs. Not much more than at any basic or moderate resort other than a sink a little larger than a shoe box and a microwave.The room was smelly,needing repairs,and very dark and uninviting.The halls outside are dark and drab.The property on the whole is very large and very boring.I feel sorry for the suckers who have shelled out hard earned money to buy memberships to this.Welcome home.

I am a DVC member and Saratoga Springs is one of my two home resorts and I have stayed here several times. This particular trip I was in a stuido on the top floor in The Grandstands section. This room had a fabulous view of the main Saratoga check-in building, the preview center and behind that, Downtown Disney. Also, the room had a view of the golf course. Saratoga Springs, like other free-standing DVC resorts, is not a hotel. It is more like a condo-style resort. The DVC marketing is quite clear that studio accomodations, such as mine on this trip, have a kitchenette, which consists of a mini-fridge, sink, microwave and a few disposable plates, forks, etc. Only 1 bedroom or larger accomodations have full kitchens. I love the aquestrian, Saratoga Springs, New York-inspired theme. The buildings are beautiful as are the grounds and surrounding LBV golf course. If you are planning a stay at Walt Disney World and you want a beautiful setting with the privacy and convenience of a condo-style resort with close parking, kitchen or kitchenette and a large resort grounds to explore, then this is the place for you. If, on the other hand, you prefer a hotel-style stay but want to stay in a DVC resort, I would suggest Animal Kingdom Lodge-Jambo House, Bay Lake Tower or perhaps the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. As for pools, Disney caters to families with children. Shallow pools discourage rowdy behavior and may prevent danger to little ones. Most guests can appreciate this Disney touch. Disney does a great job in their resorts and I would encourage guests to research their prospective resort to know what it is before you stay there. Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is a great place!

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April 23-30, 2008

Reviewer: OneForTheTeam
Boston, Massachusetts
May 09, 2008

My wife and I recently took advantage of a passholder discount on a studio at Saratoga Springs. We usually stay at deluxe resorts on property, so we figured that staying in a Deluxe Villa could only be an improvement. We were wrong. Here is our list of complaints:

1. Disney's web site suggests that there would be a full kitchen. There is no stove and only a mini fridge in the studios.

2. The studio is equivalent in size to any other hotel room on property. What makes this a studio? The microwave?

3. The pools are only 3 ft. deep. Can't there be one pool for adults?

4. The complex is massive. It's a hike to get anywhere. Yes, there are busses, but we spent enough time on the bus going to the parks. And waiting for the bus...

5. The bus service is erratic. With all on Disney's automation and technology, they still have done nothing to make the busses arrive on a regular interval. The wait could exceed 40 minutes.

6. There is really no theming here. Disney suggests that there is Victorian architecture (it isn't) and breathtaking views of the night sky (there is, but they can't take credit for that). A bronze horse is the only artifact unique to this resort.

7. Bell services are inadequate. Upon arriving (with no bags), we were told to wait 30 minutes for a ride to our room. I asked if we could walk, but were asked to wait. I still don't know why. We were not even shown to our room.

8. Overall, the term "Deluxe" is misleading. In a comparison to all other Disney resorts, Saratoga better compares to a "Moderate" resort. There is nothing deluxe about it. The pools are not elaborately themed. There is no room service other than pizza delivery. The grounds are unmemorable.

Our recommendation is not to stay at a DVC resort unless you are splurging on a 1 or 2 bedroom. Or stay at Port Orleans. You will have a better experience for less money. Otherwise, stay at a true Deluxe resort.

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